James Austin Johnson
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James Austin Johnson (born July 19, 1989), occasionally known by his initials, JAJ, is an American comedian and actor. He is a cast member on the NBC sketch comedy television series Saturday Night Live, which he joined as a featured player for the show's 47th season in 2021. On SNL, he has impersonated both Donald Trump and Joe Biden. Johnson was promoted to a repertory player in 2023.
Early life
Johnson was born on July 19, 1989, in Nashville, Tennessee. As a child, he appeared in various productions by Lifeway Christian Resources. He began performing stand-up comedy as a teenager. He attended Davidson Academy and graduated from Trevecca Nazarene University in 2011. Johnson regularly performed at open mics in Nashville before moving to Los Angeles in 2013.
Career
Johnson began his acting career starring in independent Christian films.
He has appeared in television series such as Adam Ruins Everything, Better Call Saul, and All Rise. In 2016, he appeared in a DirecTV television ad alongside National Football League veteran Peyton Manning.
In August 2020, Johnson's impression of President Donald Trump went viral in a video uploaded to Twitter, amassing over one million views.
In 2021, Johnson was cast as a featured player on Saturday Night Live, alongside Aristotle Athari and Sarah Sherman, for its forty-seventh season. During the season premiere cold open, he portrayed President Joe Biden and later portrayed President Trump beginning in the season's fifth episode. Johnson was promoted to repertory status in 2023.
In March 2024, Deadline announced Johnson had been cast in the Bob Dylan biopic film A Complete Unknown. Johnson voiced the character Pouchy in the 2024 Pixar animated film Inside Out 2.
Personal life
Johnson married Rebekah Elisabeth Lain in 2018. Their son, Homer, was born in 2022.
Filmography
Film
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | October Baby | Truman | ||
| 2012 | Blue Like Jazz | Drunk Freshman | ||
| 2014 | Rocket Pack Jack and the Babylon Virus | Krane | ||
| 2016 | Hail, Caesar! | Studio Assistant at Action Western | ||
| 2022 | She Said | Donald Trump | Voice | |
| 2024 | Inside Out 2 | Pouchy | Voice | |
| 2024 | A Complete Unknown | Gerde’s MC | ||
| 2025 | The Running Man | Voice of Announcer | ||
| 2026 | The Angry Birds Movie 3 | TBA | Voice |
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Alumni | Jeffry | Television film | |
| Coffeeteria | Barrett Klausman | Miniseries | ||
| 2015 | Adam Ruins Everything | Farmer Jed | Episode: "Adam Ruins Summer Fun" | |
| 2016 | The Last Tycoon | Movie Theater Usher | Episode: "Pilot" | |
| 2017–2020 | Future Man | Young Gabe Futturman | 2 episodes | |
| 2018 | Better Call Saul | Fred Whalen | Episode: "Winner" | |
| 2019 | All Rise | Adam Connolly | Episode: "How to Succeed in Law Without Really Re-Trying" | |
| 2020 | Kwaczala | Dennis (Glenn) | Episode: "I am a Lion" | |
| Robbie | Ninja Turtle | Episode: "Robbie vs. Ava vs. Danielle" | ||
| 2021 | Tuca & Bertie | Kyle | Voice; 2 episodes | |
| Squidbillies | Pharmacy Man | Voice; Episode: "One Man Banned" | ||
| 2021–present | Saturday Night Live | Various characters | ||
| 2022 | Fairview | Wade Moonman, Pastor Marv | Voice; recurring role | |
| 2022 | The G Word | Various characters | ||
| Birdgirl | Ed Todd/Kaptain Khaos | Voice; Episode: "With a K" | ||
| 2023 | Barry | Pastor #2 | Voice; Episode: "the wizard" | |
| 2024 | John Mulaney Presents: Everybody's in LA | Bob Dylan | Voice; Episode: "Helicopters” |
External links
- at IMDb